Born for the Spotlight: How Max Murray’s Real-Life Showbiz Heritage Sets the Stage for EastEnders Stardom

When Max Murray first stepped into the bustling world of EastEnders as teenager Joel Marshall, he brought with him more than just a new face for Walford — he carried a legacy steeped in entertainment history.

Joel’s arrival alongside his mother Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and her partner Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) marked a poignant return for the Fowler family following the devastating death of Martin Fowler (James Bye). As Joel navigates life in Albert Square, behind the scenes, actor Max Murray is quietly stepping into a spotlight that was lit long before his first scene aired.

Max’s character, Joel, is the stepson of Vicki and the biological son of Ross, a character already proving intriguing to longtime viewers. While Joel may be a newcomer to Walford, Max himself is no stranger to the stage. In fact, the world of performance is embedded deep within his DNA.

Max is the son of accomplished actress and singer Gina Murray, whose wide-ranging career has included credits in Doctor Who, Witless, and several high-profile theatre productions including Chicago, Mamma Mia!, and Hairspray. Her commanding presence and vocal power have captivated audiences on stage and in front of the camera. In the gaming world, her voice has breathed life into characters across numerous titles. It’s clear that Max has inherited more than just her cheekbones — the talent runs strong through the bloodline.

But the showbiz gene doesn’t stop with Mum.

Max’s grandfather is none other than Mitch Murray, the legendary songwriter and record producer whose chart-topping successes earned him two Ivor Novello Awards. Mitch’s pen crafted songs for iconic bands and helped shape the sound of British pop in the 1960s and ‘70s. Add in Max’s grandmother Grazina Frame — a seasoned actress, singer, and voice double — and the portrait of an entertainment dynasty comes into full view.

Gina’s sister, and Max’s aunt, is Mazz Murray — a name well known to West End fans. Mazz portrayed the fierce Killer Queen in We Will Rock You and earned praise for her roles in Chicago, as well as in tribute shows portraying the likes of Dusty Springfield and Patsy Cline. She’s also one of the founding members of the vocal group Woman, alongside Anna-Jane Casey and Emma Kershaw, proving that musical excellence is a shared family trait. Her 2009 wedding to Oren Harush featured a live performance by Queen guitarist Brian May — a reminder of just how deeply this family is entrenched in the music and theatre elite.

All of this paints a fascinating picture: Max Murray’s casting in EastEnders is more than a breakout role for a young actor — it’s a passing of the torch. From Mitch’s songwriting desk to the bright lights of the BBC’s most iconic soap, the Murray-Frame family’s artistic flame burns on through Max.

Yet, despite this star-studded lineage, Max brings something unique to his performance as Joel Marshall. There’s a quiet intensity to his portrayal, a depth that suggests he’s not just coasting on family connections. In Walford, where secrets lurk behind every door and alliances shift like sand, Joel’s character is perfectly placed to evolve into something unpredictable — perhaps even explosive.

Will Joel follow in the troubled footsteps of other young men in Albert Square? Or will he carve a new path, bringing his family’s complicated legacy into the gritty world of EastEnders with his own twist?

Whatever lies ahead for Joel, Max Murray’s entrance marks a bold new chapter not just for the Fowlers, but for EastEnders as a whole. A rising star with a past rooted in showbiz royalty, Max might just be the fresh face that Walford — and British television — didn’t know it needed.

As Joel’s journey begins, one thing is certain: the Murray legacy is alive and well, and now, it’s ready for its close-up.